The state in December said the business received a low-interest $1.2 million loan from its Sandy recovery aid to help it rebuild. Attempts to reach ownership for comment and additional details on the rebuilding were unsuccessful.

Over the years, Donovan's has been frequented by Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. Bobby Bandiera wore a blue Donovan's Reef sweatshirt while backing Jon Bon Jovi on guitar during the nationally televised “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together” NBC special in November of 2012.

Long found a portion of the demolished Donovan's sign that read “Do” and it became a theme for the rebuilding of the borough.